WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

Transcription

1 WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION Trade in Services 24 January 2003 ( ) Original: English/ French SWITZERLAND Draft consolidated Schedule of Specific Commitments 1 Attached is a draft consolidated version of the Schedule of Specific Commitments of Switzerland in word format. This document does not substitute for the legally binding commitments undertaken by Switzerland in its Schedule of Specific Commitments (GATS/SC/83; GATS/SC/83/Suppl.2/Rev.1; GATS/SC/83/Suppl.3/Rev.1; GATS/SC/83/Suppl.4) Attached to the draft consolidated schedule is Switzerland's draft consolidated Article II (MFN) Exemption List (GATS/EL/83 and GATS/EL/83/Suppl.2) The draft consolidated versions of the Schedule and the MFN Exemption List were prepared by the Secretariat, at the request of Members, to facilitate the process of negotiations, including the presentation of initial offers. 1 This document has been prepared, in English and French only, under the Secretariat's own responsibility and without prejudice to the positions of Members and to their rights and obligations under the WTO.

2 SWITZERLAND SCHEDULE OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS I. HORIZONTAL COMMITMENTS The level of commitments in a particular services sector shall not be construed to supersede the level of commitments taken with respect to any other services sector to which such service is an input or to which it is otherwise related. CPC numbers indicated in square brackets are references to the UN Provisional Central Product Classification (Statistical Papers Series M No. 77, Provisional Central Product Classification, Department of International Economics and Social Affairs, Statistical Office of the United Nations, New York, 1991 ALL SECTORS INCLUDED IN THIS SCHEDULE 1) Unbound for subsidies, tax incentives and tax credits 2) Unbound for subsidies, tax incentives and tax credits 3) The majority of the board of directors of a "joint stock company" (société anonyme /Aktiengesellschaft or société en commandite par actions/ Kommanditaktiengesellschaft) must be Swiss citizens with domicile in Switzerland (except for holding companies). At least one manager of a "corporation with limited liability" (société à responsabilité limitée/gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) must have his domicile in Switzerland. The administrators of a "co-operative society" (société coopérative/genossenschaft) must be composed of a majority of Swiss citizens with domicile in Switzerland. Joint stock companies are not prohibited to foresee in their articles of incorporation that shareholders can be denied registration in the shareholder register, inter alia in case federal law requires a certain composition of shareholders. Page 2

3 The establishment of a branch requires a representative (natural person) with domicile in Switzerland who is duly authorized by the company to fully represent it. The establishment of a commercial presence by natural persons or in the form of an enterprise without juridical personality according to Swiss law (i.e. in a form other than "joint stock company", "cooperation with limited liability" or "co-operative society") is subject to the requirement of a permanent residency permit of the associate(s) by cantonal law. Eligibility for subsidies, tax incentives and tax credits may be limited to persons established in a particular geographical sub-division of Switzerland The acquisition of real estate by foreigners who are not permanently established in Switzerland and by enterprises with headquarters abroad and/or under foreign control is subject to authorization. For the purpose of personal housing needs (except the acquisition of holiday residences), professional use and business activities, authorization is granted upon verification of the purpose. Prohibited are purely financial investments, real estate business operations, acquisition, on a professional basis, of holiday apartments and facilities other than hotels (e.g. apartment houses, camps, sport areas) and acquisition of agricultural real estate. Page 3

4 4) Unbound, except for measures concerning the entry and temporary stay of natural persons (hereafter persons) falling within the following categories, as defined in paragraphs I and II below, and subject to the following limitations and conditions and to the limitations and conditions on national treatment set out under the national treatment column: Entry and stay of foreign service suppliers in Switzerland is subject to authorization (requirement of residency permit and work permit). Authorization is granted subject to measures fixing overall numbers of work permits allocated. For essential personnel as defined in paragraph I below, the period of stay is limited to a period of three years, which may be extended to a maximum of four years. For other essential personnel as defined in paragraph II below, the period of stay is limited to three months within one year; if an authorization for such a period of stay is renewed the following year, the applicant must stay abroad at least two months between the two consecutive periods of stay in Switzerland. Persons staying in or entering Switzerland with an open-ended or prolongable residence permit based on an employment contract not limited in time for Switzerland are not considered as persons residing in or entering Switzerland for the purpose of temporary stay or temporary employment in Switzerland. 4) Unbound, except for measures concerning the categories of natural persons referred to in the market access column, subject to the following limitations and conditions: Working conditions prevailing in the branch and the place of activity provided by law and/or collective agreement (with respect to remuneration, working hours, etc.), measures limiting professional and geographical mobility within Switzerland, regulations related to statutory systems of social security and public retirement plans (with respect to qualifying period, residency requirement, etc.), and all other provisions of the legislation relating to immigration, entry, stay and work. The enterprise employing such persons shall cooperate, upon request, with the authorities in charge of the enforcement of these measures. Eligibility for subsidies, tax incentives and tax credits may be limited to persons domiciled in a particular geographical subdivision of Switzerland. Page 4

5 I. Essential persons transferred to Switzerland within a specific business or company (intra-corporate transferees) Are considered as essential those persons - defined in detail below - who are employees of a business or company (hereafter enterprise) providing services in Switzerland through a branch, subsidiary or affiliate established in Switzerland and who have been beforehand employees of their enterprise outside Switzerland for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding their application for admission: (a) Executives and senior managers: Persons who primarily direct the enterprise or one of its departments and who receive only general supervision or direction from high-level executives, the board of directors or the stockholders of the enterprise. Executives and senior managers would not directly perform tasks related to the actual provision of services of the enterprise. (b) Specialists: Highly qualified persons who, within an enterprise, are essential for the provision of a specific service by reason of their knowledge at an advanced level of expertise in the field of services, research equipment, techniques or management of the enterprise. Page 5

6 II. Other essential persons moving to Switzerland (a) Services sellers: Persons employed or mandated by an enterprise and who stay temporarily in Switzerland in order to conclude the contract for the sale of a service on behalf of the enterprise which employs them or has mandated them. Services sellers may not sell services directly to the general public or supply services themselves. Page 6 (b) Persons responsible for the setting up of a commercial presence: Persons who are employees of an enterprise not having commercial presence in Switzerland and who have been beforehand employees of that enterprise outside Switzerland for a time period not less than one year immediately preceding their application for admission, and who fulfil the conditions of paragraph I.a) above, and who are entering Switzerland for the purpose of setting up a commercial presence of that enterprise in Switzerland. Persons responsible for the setting-up of a commercial presence may not engage in making direct sales to the general public or supply services themselves.

7 (c) Persons who are employees of an enterprise outside Switzerland not having commercial presence in Switzerland (other than enterprises providing services as defined by CPC 872), which has concluded a services contract with an enterprise engaged in substantive business in Switzerland, and who have been beforehand employees of the enterprise outside Switzerland for a time period of not less than one year immediately preceding their application for admission, and who fulfil the conditions of paragraph I(b) above and who provide a service in Switzerland as a professional of a service sector as set out below on behalf of the enterprise outside Switzerland; as a further requirement five years of related experience is required. Per contract, temporary entry for a limited number of service suppliers will be granted for a single period of three months, the number of service suppliers depending on the size of the task to be performed under the contract. Individual services providers not employed by such enterprise outside Switzerland are considered as persons seeking access to the Swiss employment market. Services sectors: - Engineering Services (CPC 8672); - Consultancy Services related to the installation of computer hardware (CPC 841); - Software Implementation Services (CPC 842). Page 7

8 II. SECTOR-SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS 1. BUSINESS SERVICES (a) Legal services Page 8 - Consultancy on home country law and international law (part of CPC 861) (b) Accounting, auditing and book-keeping services - Accounting (CPC 862 except 86211) 3) Swiss nationality necessary to open up practice in the canton of St. Gall - Auditing services, excluding auditing of banks (part of CPC 86211) (c) Taxation services (CPC 863) 1) At least one person supplying auditing services to a joint stock company (société anonyme/aktiengesellschaft) or a société en commandite par actions/kommanditaktiengesellschaft must have a commercial presence in Switzerland ; at least one person supplying auditing services to a joint stock company (société anonyme/aktiengesellschaft) or a société en commandite par actions/kommanditaktiengesellschaft must have a commercial presence in Switzerland

9 (d) Architectural services (CPC 8671) 1) Three years of prior professional practice in Switzerland required in canton of Lucerne 3) Three years of prior professional practice in Switzerland required in canton of Lucerne ; three years of prior professional practice in Switzerland required in canton of Lucerne (e) Engineering services (CPC 8672) 1) Three years of prior professional practice in Switzerland required in canton of Lucerne for building engineers; Swiss nationality necessary for survey activities for official public purposes (however, foreign surveyors can work under the responsibility of a licensed Swiss surveyor) 3) Three years of prior professional practice in Switzerland required in canton of Lucerne for building engineers; Swiss nationality necessary for survey activities for official public purposes (however, foreign surveyors can work under the responsibility of a licensed Swiss surveyor) ; three years of prior professional practice in Switzerland required in canton of Lucerne for building engineers; Swiss nationality necessary for survey activities for official public purposes (however, foreign surveyors can work under the responsibility of a licensed Swiss surveyor) (f) Integrated engineering services (CPC 8673) (g) Urban planning and landscape architectural services (CPC 8674) Page 9

10 (h) Medical and dental services (CPC 9312) 3) Unbound 4) Unbound 3) Swiss nationality necessary to practise independently 4) Swiss nationality necessary to practise independently Page 10 (i) Veterinary surgeons (CPC 932) A. Computer and Related Services (a) Consultancy services related to the installation of computer hardware (CPC 841) (b) Software implementation services (CPC 842) (c) Data processing services (CPC 843) (d) Data base services (CPC 844) (e) Other 3) Unbound 4) Unbound 3) Swiss nationality necessary to practise independently 4) Swiss nationality necessary to practise independently

11 - Maintenance and repair services of office machinery and equipment including computers (CPC 845) - Data preparation services (CPC 8491) B. Research and Development Services - R&D services on natural sciences, excluding projects financed in whole or in part by public funds (part of CPC 851) - R&D services on social sciences, excluding projects financed in whole or in part by public funds (part of CPC 852) - Interdisciplinary R&D services, excluding projects financed in whole or in part by public funds (part of CPC 853) E. Rental/Leasing without Operators (a) Relating to ships Page 11

12 - For maritime transport services (part of CPC 83103) 1) Unbound 3) In order to sail under Swiss flag, vessels must be 100 per cent owned and controlled by Swiss nationals, 3/4 of which having residency in Switzerland 1) Unbound 3) Board of directors and management of companies owning ships sailing under Swiss flag must be composed of Swiss nationals, the majority of which having residency in Switzerland Page 12 - For internal waterways transport on the Rhine (part of CPC 83103) (b) Relating to aircraft - Relating to aircraft, excluding rental/leasing to companies flying on regular schedule or on charter (part of CPC 83104) (c) Relating to other transport equipment (CPC ) (d) Relating to other machinery and equipment (CPC ) 1) Unbound 3) In order to sail under Swiss flag, vessels must be owned by a company which is substantially influenced (66 per cent of capital and vote) by persons domiciled in Switzerland or in a country according to the Mannheim Convention and the protocols related to it ; commercial presence in Switzerland required 1) Unbound 3) Traffic rights including cabotage are limited on the basis of the Mannheim Convention and the protocols related to it; owner of vessels must dispose of an appropriate managing agency in Switzerland ; traffic rights including cabotage are limited on the basis of the Mannheim Convention and the protocols related to it; commercial presence in Switzerland required

13 F. Other Business Services (a) Advertising services - Advertising services (including direct mail advertising), excluding outdoor advertising and excluding advertising for goods subject to import authorization and excluding pharmaceutical products, alcohol, tobacco, toxics, explosives, weapons and ammunition (part of CPC part of 8712) (b) Market research and public opinion polling (CPC 864) (c) Management consulting services (CPC 865) (d) Services related to management consulting (CPC 866) (e) Technical testing and analysis services (CPC 8676) Page 13

14 (f) Services incidental to agriculture, hunting and forestry - Consulting services on agriculture, hunting and forestry (part of CPC 881) Page 14 (g) Services incidental to fishing - Consulting services relating to fishing (part of CPC 882) (h) Services incidental to mining - Services incidental to mining, excluding prospection, surveying, exploration and exploitation (part of CPC part of 5115) (i) Services incidental to manufacturing - Consulting services relating to manufacturing (part of CPC part of 885) (m) Related scientific and technical consulting services

15 - Related scientific and technical consulting services, excluding prospection, surveying, exploration and exploitation (part of CPC 8675) (n) Maintenance and repair of equipment (not including maritime vessels, aircraft or other transport equipment) (CPC ) ; commercial presence in Switzerland required for subsector CPC 633 ; Commercial presence in Switzerland required for subsector CPC 633 (o) Building cleaning services - Building-cleaning services (CPC 874 except 87409) ; commercial presence in Switzerland required ; commercial presence in Switzerland required (p) Photographic services (CPC 875) (q) Packaging services (CPC 876) (r) Printing, publishing (CPC 88442) ; commercial presence in Switzerland required ; commercial presence in Switzerland required Page 15

16 (s) Convention services (part of CPC 87909) Page COMMUNICATION SERVICES C. Telecommunication Services Telecommunication Services are the transport of electro-magnetic signals - sound, data, image and combinations thereof, excluding broadcasting 1 (a) Voice telephone services (CPC 7521) As annexed 1 Broadcasting is defined as the uninterrupted chain of transmission required for the distribution of TV and radio programme signals to the general public, but does not cover contribution links between operators.

17 (b) Packet-switched data transmission (CPC 7523**) (c) Circuit-switched data transmission (CPC 7523**) (d) Telex services (CPC 7523**) (e) Telegraph services (CPC 7522) (f) Facsimile services (CPC 7521** **) (g) Private leased circuit services (CPC 7522** **) Page 17

18 Enhanced/Value-added Telecommunication Services General condition applicable to all telecommunication sectors: federal monopoly on net work infrastructure, services have to be provided over the public network or over leased lines; wireless networks subject to licensing; pricing of leased lines not volume-sensitive, connection with the public network possible. Page 18 Electronic mail (part of CPC 7523) Voice mail (part of CPC 7523) On-line information and data base retrieval (part of CPC 7523) Electronic data interchange (EDI) (part of CPC 7523) Enhanced/value-added facsimile service (part of CPC 7523) Code and protocol conversion

19 On-line information and/or data processing (part of CPC 843) - Videotext Enhanced/value added services based on licensed wireless networks including enhanced/value added paging services, except for voice transmission 3. CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED ENGINEERING SERVICES A. General Construction Work for Buildings (CPC 512) B. General Construction Work for Civil Engineering - General Construction Work for Civil Engineering (CPC ) Page 19

20 C. Installation and Assembly Work (CPC ) 3) Unbound for installations in the area of energy, heating, water, communications and elevators ; unbound for installations in the area of energy, heating, water, communications and elevators Page 20 D. Building Completion and Finishing Work (CPC 517) E. Other - Pre-erection work at construction sites (CPC 511) 4. DISTRIBUTION SERVICES A. Commission Agents` Services - Commission Agents' Services excluding services related to goods subject to import authorization, to pharmaceutical products, toxics, explosives, weapons and ammunition, and precious metals (part of CPC 6211) 3) Some cantons have restrictions on sales area

21 B. Wholesale Trade Services - Wholesale Trade Services excluding services related to goods subject to import authorization, to pharmaceutical products, toxics, explosives, weapons and ammunition, and precious metals (part of CPC 622) 3) Some cantons have restrictions on sales area C. Retailing Services - Retailing Services excluding services related to goods subject to import authorization, to pharmaceutical products, toxics, explosives, weapons and ammunition, and precious metals; not covered is retailing through mobile sales unit (part of CPC part of part of part of part of 6121) 3) Some cantons have restrictions on sales area ; commercial presence in Switzerland required ; commercial presence in Switzerland required D. Franchising (CPC 8929) Page 21

22 5. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Private Educational Services Page 22 - Compulsory education services (primary & secondary I) - Non-compulsory secondary education services (secondary II) - Higher Education Services (CPC 923) - Adult Education Services (CPC 924) 6. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 2 A. Sewage Services (CPC 9401) 1) Unbound 2) Unbound 4) Unbound 1) Unbound 2) Unbound 4) Unbound 2 Nothing in this commitment should be construed to include public work function whether owned and operated by municipalities, cantons or federal government or contracted out by them.

23 B. Refuse Disposal Services (CPC 9402) except unbound for garbage dump ; commercial presence in Switzerland required ; commercial presence in Switzerland required C. Sanitation and Similar Services (CPC 9403) D. Other Environmental Services (CPC part of 9409) 7. FINANCIAL SERVICES Commitments on banking, securities and insurance services are in accordance with the "Understanding on Commitments in Financial Services" (hereafter "Understanding") and subject to limitations and conditions as contained in Part I (horizontal commitments) and as listed below. It is understood that paragraph B.4 of the "Understanding" does not impose any obligation to allow non-resident financial services suppliers to solicit business. Insurance and Insurancerelated Services Monopoly rights as indicated in paragraph B.1 of the "Understanding": a public monopoly on fire and natural damage insurance on buildings exists in the following cantons: Zurich, Berne, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Glaris, Zoug, Fribourg, Soleure, Bâle-Ville, Bâle- Campagne, Shaffhouse, Argovie, St-Gall, Grisons, Appenzell Rhodes Extérieures, Thurgovie, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Jura. In the cantons of Nidwalden and Vaud, the public monopoly on fire and natural damage insurance covers also movable property located in the buildings. Page 23

24 1) Transactions as indicated in paragraph B.3 of the "Understanding": the underwriting of aircraft liability insurance requires a commercial presence in Switzerland. (2) Transactions as indicated in paragraph B.4 of the "Understanding": the underwriting of aircraft liability insurance requires a commercial presence in Switzerland. 3) Representative offices cannot conduct business or act as an agent; for insurance companies incorporated in Switzerland, the legal form of a joint-stock company (Aktiengesellschaft, société anonyme) or a mutual association (Genossenschaft, société cooperative) is required; for branches of foreign insurance companies, the legal form of the insurance company in the head office country must be comparable to a Swiss jointstock company or to a Swiss mutual association; participation in the basic health insurance scheme requires health insurance suppliers to be organized in one of the following legal entities: association (Verein, association), mutual association, foundation (Stiftung, fondation) or joint-stock company; participation in the statutory pension funds scheme (Berufsvorsorge/ prévoyance professionnelle) requires pension funds to be organized in the form of a mutual association or a foundation. 1) Acquisition of real estate by foreigners is limited as indicated in Part I; however, foreign or foreign-controlled insurance companies are granted authorization to invest in real estate, provided the total value of the buyer's property does not exceed the technical reserves required for the company's activities in Switzerland, as well as to acquire property that serves as a security for mortgage loans in case of bankruptcy or liquidation. 3) A minimum of three years of experience in the direct insurance business in the head office country is required; acquisition of real estate by foreigners is limited as indicated in Part I; however, foreign or foreign-controlled insurance companies are granted authorization to invest in real estate, provided the total value of the buyer's property does not exceed the technical reserves required for the company's activities in Switzerland, as well as to acquire property that serves as a security for mortgage loans in case of bankruptcy or liquidation. Page 24

25 Banking and Other Financial Services (excluding insurance) Monopoly rights as indicated in paragraph B.1 of the "Understanding": two mortgage bonds issuance institutes have been granted an exclusive right for the issuance of specific mortgage bonds (Pfandbrief, lettre de gage); with regard to the first institute only Swiss cantonal banks are accepted as members; in the case of the second institute banks with head office in Switzerland whose national mortgage loan business amounts to at least 60 per cent of the balance sheet can be members; the issue of other mortgage-backed bonds is not affected by this regulation. 1) 3 Foreign investment funds can only be marketed or distributed through a licensed representative agent resident in Switzerland; Swiss franc denominated issues can be leadmanaged only by a bank or a securities dealer having a commercial presence (except representative office) in Switzerland. 2) Swiss franc denominated issues can be leadmanaged only by a bank or a securities dealer having a commercial presence (except representative office) in Switzerland. 1) Acquisition of real estate by foreigners is limited as indicated in Part I; however, foreign or foreign-controlled banks are granted authorization to acquire property that serves as a security for mortgage loans in case of bankruptcy or liquidation; the issue of foreign collective investment funds is subject to stamp duty. Page 25 3 Not only transactions indicated in paragraph B.3 of the Understanding but the whole range of banking and other financial services transactions are covered (excluding insurance).

26 3) Commercial presence of foreign financial service suppliers is subject to specific requirements relating to the name of the firm and the regulations on financial institutions in the country of origin; commercial presence may be denied to financial service suppliers whose ultimate shareholders and/or beneficial owners are persons of a non-gats Member; representative offices can neither conclude or deal business nor act as an agent. 3) Acquisition of real estate by foreigners is limited as indicated in Part I; however, foreign or foreign-controlled banks are granted authorization to acquire property that serves as a security for mortgage loans in case of bankruptcy or liquidation. Page TOURISM AND TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES A. Hotels and Restaurants (includes catering) (CPC ) B. Travel Agencies and Tour Operators Services (CPC 7471), except unbound for catering (CPC 6423) 3) Federal law enables cantons to grant licence for restaurants based on economic needs (assessment of economic needs is based on criteria such as population, degree of built-up area, type of neighbourhood, touristical interests, number of existing restaurants) ; commercial presence in Switzerland required, except unbound for catering (CPC 6423) 3) Residency of licence holder in same canton may be required in some cantons; passing an examination in same canton may be required ; commercial presence in Switzerland required; residency of licence holder in same canton may be required in some cantons

27 C. Tourist Guides Services (CPC 7472) 3) In order to work as a mountain guide or ski instructor, passing of an examination is required; cantons may restrict access to such exams for foreigners and may restrict the ability of foreign mountain guides, and ski instructors, to practise independently; residency in same canton may be required in some cantons ; in some cantons commercial presence may be required ; in order to work as a mountain guide or ski instructor, passing of an examination is required; cantons may restrict access to such exams for foreigners and may restrict the ability of foreign mountain guides, and ski instructors, to practise independently; in some cantons commercial presence may be required 10. RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND SPORTING SERVICES (other than audiovisual services) B. News Agency Services (CPC 962) D. Sporting and other recreational services - Sporting Services (CPC 9641) Page 27

28 11. TRANSPORT SERVICES B. Internal Waterways Transports Page 28 Internal Waterways Transport on the Rhine - Passenger and freight transportation (part of CPC part of 7222) - Rental of vessels with crew (part of CPC 7223) 1) Unbound 3) In order to sail under Swiss flag, vessels must be owned by a company which is substantially influenced (66 per cent of capital and vote) by persons domiciled in Switzerland or in a country according to the Mannheim Convention and the protocols related to it ; commercial presence in Switzerland required 1) Unbound 3) In order to sail under Swiss flag, vessels must be owned by a company which is substantially influenced (66 per cent of capital and vote) by persons domiciled in Switzerland or in a country according to the Mannheim Convention and the protocols related to it ; commercial presence in Switzerland required 1) Unbound 3) Traffic rights including cabotage are limited on the basis of the Mannheim Convention and the protocols related to it; owner of vessels must dispose of an appropriate managing agency in Switzerland ; traffic rights including cabotage are limited on the basis of the Mannheim Convention and the protocols related to it; commercial presence in Switzerland required 1) Unbound 3) Traffic rights including cabotage are limited on the basis of the Mannheim Convention and the protocols related to it; owner of vessels must dispose of an appropriate managing agency in Switzerland ; traffic rights including cabotage are limited on the basis of the Mannheim Convention and the protocols related to it; commercial presence in Switzerland required

29 - Maintenance and repair of vessels (part of CPC 8868) - Pushing and towing services (part of CPC 7224) - Supporting services for internal waterway transport (part of CPC 745) C. Air Transport Services - Aircraft repair and maintenance services D. Space Transport (CPC 733) 2) Unbound ; commercial presence in Switzerland required 3) Unbound 4) Unbound 2) Unbound ; commercial presence in Switzerland required 3) Unbound 4) Unbound Page 29

30 E. Rail Transport Services (a) Passenger transportation (CPC 7111) 1) Unbound 3) Concession required, for granting of concession there has to be a need for such a railways undertaking and there is no other means of transport which could handle that service in an ecologically and economically more reasonable way 1) Unbound Page 30 (b),(c) Freight transportation, including pushing and towing (CPC ) 1) Unbound 3) Concession required, for granting of concession there has to be a need for such a railways undertaking and there is no other means of transport which could handle that service in an ecologically and economically more reasonable way 1) Unbound (d) Maintenance and repair of rail transport equipment (part of CPC 8868) F. Road Transport Services (a) Passenger transportation - regular, "closed-door" tours only (part of CPC 7121) - occasional, excluding empty entrance, cabotage and taxi services (part of CPC 7122)

31 (c) Rental of commercial vehicles with operator (CPC 7124) (d) Maintenance and repair of road transport equipment (CPC ) H. Services Auxiliary to All Modes of Transport (a) Cargo-handling services (CPC 741) (b) Storage and warehouse services (CPC 742) (c),(d) Freight transport agency services, including other auxiliary transport services, excluding local pick up and delivery (CPC part of 749) Page 31

32 Page 32 Annex Switzerland : Additional Commitments on Basic Telecommunications Scope The following are definitions and principles on the regulatory framework for the basic telecommunications services. Definitions Users mean service consumers and service suppliers. Essential facilities mean facilities of a public telecommunications transport network or service that (a) (b) are exclusively or predominantly provided by a single or limited number of suppliers; and cannot feasibly be economically or technically substituted in order to provide a service. A major supplier is a supplier which has the ability to materially affect the terms of participation (having regard to price and supply) in the relevant market for basic telecommunications services as a result of: (a) (b) control over essential facilities; or use of its position in the market. 1. Competitive safeguards 1.1 Prevention of anti-competitive practices in telecommunications Appropriate measures shall be maintained for the purpose of preventing suppliers who, alone or together, are a major supplier from engaging in or continuing anti-competitive practices Safeguards The anti-competitive practices referred to above shall include in particular: (a) (b) (c) engaging in anti-competitive cross-subsidization; using information obtained from competitors with anti-competitive results; and not making available to other services suppliers on a timely basis technical information about essential facilities and commercially relevant information which are necessary for them to provide services.

33 Page Interconnection 2.1. This section applies to linking with suppliers providing public telecommunications transport networks or services in order to allow the users of one supplier to communicate with users of another supplier and to access services provided by another supplier, where specific commitments are undertaken Interconnection to be ensured Interconnection with a major supplier will be ensured at any technically feasible point in the network. Such interconnection is provided (a) (b) (c) under non-discriminatory terms, conditions (including technical standards and specifications) and rates and of a quality no less favourable than that provided for its own like services or for like services of non-affiliated service suppliers or for its subsidiaries or other affiliates; in a timely fashion, on terms, conditions (including technical standards and specifications) and cost-oriented rates that are transparent, reasonable, having regard to economic feasibility, and sufficiently unbundled so that the supplier need not pay for network components or facilities that it does not require for the service to be provided; and upon request, at points in addition to the network termination points offered to the majority of users, subject to charges that reflect the cost of construction of necessary additional facilities Public availability of the procedures for interconnection negotiations The procedures applicable for interconnection to a major supplier will be made publicly available Transparency of interconnection arrangements It is ensured that any supplier with a dominant position will make publicly available either its interconnection agreements or a reference interconnection offer Interconnection: dispute settlement A service supplier requesting interconnection with a major supplier will have recourse, either: (a) (b) at any time or after a reasonable period of time which has been made publicly known to an independent domestic body, which may be a regulatory body as referred to in paragraph 5 below, to resolve disputes regarding appropriate terms, conditions and rates for interconnection within a reasonable period of time, to the extent that these have not been established previously.

34 Page Universal service Any Member has the right to define the kind of universal service obligation it wishes to maintain. Such obligations will not be regarded as anti-competitive per se, provided they are administered in a transparent, non-discriminatory and competitively neutral manner and are not more burdensome than necessary for the kind of universal service defined by the Member. 4. Public availability of licensing criteria Where a licence is required, the following will be made publicly available: (a) (b) all the licensing criteria and the period of time normally required to reach a decision concerning an application for a licence and the terms and conditions of individual licences. The reasons for the denial of a licence will be made known to the applicant upon request. 5. Independent regulators The regulatory body is separate from, and not accountable to, any supplier of basic telecommunications services. The decisions of and the procedures used by regulators shall be impartial with respect to all market participants. 6. Allocation and use of scarce resources Any procedures for the allocation and use of scarce resources, including frequencies, numbers and rights of way, will be carried out in an objective, timely, transparent and non-discriminatory manner. The current state of allocated frequency bands will be made publicly available, but detailed identification of frequencies allocated for specific government uses is not required.

35 SWITZERLAND FINAL LIST OF ARTICLE II (MFN) EXEMPTIONS Sector or Subsector Distribution services Description of measure indicating its inconsistency with Article II To grant work permits, without certain limitations, to employees of establishments of enterprises of member countries of the Convention establishing the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the establishment's activity being commerce in goods Countries to which the measure applies Intended duration Conditions creating the need for the exemption Members of EFTA Indefinite Flanking measure to the provisions on free trade in goods under the EFTA Agreement Audiovisual services To confer national treatment to audiovisual works covered by bilateral or plurilateral agreements on coproduction in the field of audiovisual works, in particular in relation to access to funding and to distribution All countries with whom cultural cooperation may be desirable (at present agreements exist with member countries of the Council of Europe and with Canada) Indefinite Promotion of common cultural objectives Page 35

36 Sector or Subsector Description of measure indicating its inconsistency with Article II Measures granting the benefit of support programmes, such as MEDIA and EURIMAGES, and measures relating to the allocation of screen time which implement arrangements such as the Council of Europe Convention on Transfrontier Television and confer national treatment, to audiovisual works and/or to suppliers of audiovisual services meeting specific European origin criteria Countries to which the measure applies Intended duration Conditions creating the need for the exemption European countries Indefinite Promotion of cultural objectives based on longstanding cultural links Page 36 Audiovisual services Concessions for the operation of radio or television broadcast stations may be granted, normally on the basis of bilateral agreements, to persons of countries other than Switzerland All countries with whom cultural cooperation may be desirable Indefinite Promotion of common cultural objectives, and to regulate access to a market limited in scale (given the size of Switzerland) in order to preserve diversity of supply Banking and other financial services (excluding insurance) To allow persons established in the Principality of Liechtenstein, without requiring a commercial presence in Switzerland, to participate in settlement and clearing network and to lead-manage Swiss franc denominated issues Principality of Liechtenstein Indefinite Measures ensuing from the monetary union between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein

37 Sector or Subsector Internal waterways transport Description of measure indicating its inconsistency with Article II To allow transport services on the Rhine including cabotage to vessels registered in countries other than Switzerland on the basis of the Mannheim Convention (including related additional articles and protocols) and other agreements on internal waterways transport in Europe Countries to which the measure applies Beneficiaries of the Mannheim Convention and other agreements relating to internal waterways transport in Europe to which Switzerland may be a member (at present members of EC) Intended duration Indefinite Conditions creating the need for the exemption To regulate transport capacity on inland waterways CRS and sales and marketing of air transport services Measures based on Article 7 of the revised Code of Conduct of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), whereby the obligations of CRS system vendors or of parent and participating air carriers shall not apply where equivalent treatment to that applied under the revised Code of Conduct is not accorded in the country of origin of the parent carrier of the system vendor All countries where a CRS system vendor or a parent air carrier is located Indefinite The need for the exemption results from the insufficient development of multilaterally agreed rules for the operation of CRS Road transport services (passenger and freight) To allow, on the basis of mutual access to the market, transport services by vehicles registered in countries other than Switzerland to undertake transportation of goods and/or passengers in, into, out of, or in transit through Swiss territory, normally based on bilateral agreements All countries with whom bilateral agreements on road transport or other arrangements relating to road transport exist or may be desirable (at present approximately 30 countries) Exemption needed until multilateral liberalization of road transport services, taking into account regional specificity and environmental effects of road transport, will have been agreed upon To take into account regional specificity of the provision of road transport services and to protect the integrity of road infrastructure and environment Page 37

38 Sector or Subsector Road transport services (freight) Description of measure indicating its inconsistency with Article II To allocate transit quota for perishable or otherwise urgent cargo by trucks heavier than 28 tons registered in countries other than Switzerland in case capacity of combined transport is exhausted EC Countries to which the measure applies Intended duration To be reviewed 12 years after entry into force of the bilateral agreement between Switzerland and EC Conditions creating the need for the exemption To protect the integrity of road infrastructure and of the environment Page 38 All sectors To mutually grant permits of temporary stay and permanent residency in the territory of the parties, without certain limitations, to citizens of the parties of the agreements on temporary stay and permanent residency between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein Principality of Liechtenstein Indefinite Flanking measure to customs, monetary and postal union between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein

39 Sector or Subsector All sectors Description of measure indicating its inconsistency with Article II Preferential treatment accorded to nationals of countries other than Switzerland, belonging to traditional recruiting areas according to Swiss legislation on immigration, when granting permits for entry, stay and work in Switzerland (year round resident, short time resident, seasonal workers) to natural persons providing services other than essential persons as defined in the Swiss Schedule of Specific Commitments on trade in services (part I: horizontal commitments); and measures based on bilateral agreements between the European Community and/or its Member States and/or EFTA States, and Switzerland, with the objective of providing for the movement of all categories of natural persons supplying services. Countries to which the measure applies Intended duration Conditions creating the need for the exemption EC and EFTA countries Indefinite To regulate immigration into Switzerland by measures based on longstanding links with traditional recruiting areas Page 39